Whale Seasons

Island Adventures vs San Juan Safaris

Two whale watching operators in San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor and Anacortes), Washington. Island Adventures starts at $99 and San Juan Safaris at $125. Here is how their options line up on length, group size, age rules and cancellation.

Island Adventures

  • Reports a whale sighting success rate over 97%
  • Signature departures at 8am, 10am, 1pm and 3pm, plus a 5pm sunset trip with a free re-ride if no whales are seen
  • Guarantee covers gray, humpback, orca or minke whales; it is an offer to return, not a standby pass, with no blackout dates
  • 10-12 hour Extended Range trip for $299 on select dates
  • Signature season February to November

Signature Whale Watch

From
$99 per adult
Length
3-4 hours
Cancellation
Free reschedule up to 24 hours ahead; no refund within 24 hours; $5 per person cancellation fee; weather cancellations refunded

Full Day Whale Watch

From
$199 per adult
Length
6-7 hours (10 AM departure, boarding from 9:40 AM)
Group
Limited passengers
Min age
All ages
Cancellation
Free reschedule up to 24 hours ahead; no refund within 24 hours; $5 per person cancellation fee; weather cancellations refunded

Check dates with Island Adventures

San Juan Safaris

  • 1-3 marine naturalists on each Classic tour
  • Kestrel can range up to 70 miles round trip, Sea Lion up to 50
  • Discounted packages for booking two trips
  • No tours in December or January
  • Shares a sightings network with the Pacific Whale Watch Association

Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour from Friday Harbor

From
$125 per adult
Length
3-4 hours (12:30 PM and 5:30 PM departures)
Group
1-125, varies by season
Min age
All ages
Cancellation
Cancel 48 hours ahead for 1-4 people, 10 days for 5-9, 30 days for 10+; no-shows pay full price

Adventure Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour

From
$150 per person
Length
About 3-4 hours
Min age
8+
Cancellation
Cancel 48 hours ahead for 1-4 people, 10 days for 5-9, 30 days for 10+; no-shows pay full price

Check dates with San Juan Safaris

Both checked against the operators' own pages on 2026-10-21. See every operator in San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor and Anacortes), Washington.